Behind the Scenes

Monday

Finding something positive about a not so favorite day of the week.......well, let's see.......I put some checks in the bank and they totaled more than I paid out in bills! Hooray!!! Now we can move onto one of my favorite days of the week, Tuesday. Not sure why Tuesday's are so productive but they are and I'm all about productivity:).

Here's my list of hope to finish items for tomorrow:
1. finish billing some contract work
2. complete payroll for an early check run
3. start cleaning the house for turkey day
4. go through and make sure i have all the ingredients for my recipes for Thursday
5, check the turkey pan
6. complete 10 more handmade x-mas cards
7. make my list of black friday purchases so I'm ready to roll
8. workout......this is actually the first thing on the to-do list for tomorrow!
9. call a repair man for the range and refrigerator

If I get this list done, I'll be very happy! Wednesday Steven gets out of school early and I have a hair appointment. That pretty much sums up Wednesday.

Well, let me share a few more creations with you and a couple shots I took this weekend of the kids. I was actually trying to get a good shot of Mackenzie prior to the braces coming off. Tomorrow will be 8 days and counting!!! Then we'll see how long it will be before the process begins for Steven. Hopefully, I'll have a couple years to recoup financially before his go on.
We were putting up x-mas decorations this weekend and the kids found Kelsey's xmas collar. For some reason this dog thinks she's hot stuff when she has it on and likes to wear the darn thing. I guess she thought she deserved to have her photo taken too!

Happy Friday to me......

I love Fridays! Love the fact the stores are not too overly crowded and the kids are in school. I was able to get the meet entry done, Costco shopping out of the way. Checked out the Black Friday ads that are posted already trying to figure out my plan of attack. Tried to schedule a service appointment for my Range and Frig and found out that Sears won't schedule two items in one appointment........so I guess they don't need my business!
I think the best bet is to let John try to figure out the parts i need and let him do the repair.

I am starting to fade and it's only 5 pm. Kelsey had a bad case of diarrhea last night and kept waking me up. Well, the 4am one....I must have been zonked and didn't make it to the door on time for her. So, thankfully, I have a carpet cleaner and was able to clean it up without running out for carpet cleaner at the crack of dawn.

Here's a couple more cards I made this week. I'm on a roll and need to keep production up if I intend to get things done around here!

Off to figure out some dinner.....have a great weekend:)

Time for a much needed update!

Seems like these last few weeks have flown by! Have been having lots of fun. Mackenzie's swim season ended and we went to her year end banquet. She won an unexpected award for top freshman swimmer and also received her Varsity Letter! Needless to say, she was pretty darn proud of herself and certainly intends to continue swimming next season.  Steven has found a new passion for flag football. I'm trying to talk him into signing up for a league starting in January. Maybe there is still hope for the kid who really only likes to ride his bike as far as sports go. I think if he just gave it a try he'd really like it!

In other news......Steven's garden is really taking off. We have 21 tomatoes between the two plants, many jalapenos and really the only thing not doing well is my basil. Something......I think possibly a bird, ate it.

I've been trying to get some stamping done and did spend all last Sunday working on some of my X-mas cards for this year. this first image is from the Cat's Pajamas new Kitty Kat pack that I received in the mail.
The second card is from the Papertrey, Boards & Beams set. This is a very fun set, but does take some time and patience. Not one to do in multiples........that's for sure.
Oh, what the heck, since I haven't been a very good poster, let me show you one more.

This is also another image from the Cat's Pajamas new Kitty Kat pack. I do have a few more cards to share but I think I'll save those for another day.

Can't believe next week is Thanksgiving, which I happen to be hosting. Sixteen people will be at my very unclean house next Thursday and then Friday night, after my crazy Black Friday day of bargain shopping, my father arrives for his winter visit. IF his flight is on-time (highly unlikely) he'll arrive at 10pm.

So my goals for this weekend:

1. Start X-mas shopping. I have one gift purchased and that's it!

2. Start hauling out X-mas and get the tree ready to go up.

3. Get some more cards stamped.

4. Make a list of exactly who I'm buying for this year.

5. Figure out the teacher gifts.

6. Make a list of wine/ beverages for Turkey day.

7. Call about rock for the yard at the rental home since I don't think John will ever finish this project unless I step back into the game.

8. Wash my car.....my poor baby doesn't even know what color she is anymore.

9. Drop off the clothing rack to Aunt Darlene so she doesn't disown me as a niece.

10. Workout so I can eat Turkey dinner.

If I accomplish all of the above I will be thrilled to death!

House Warming

Today I went over to check out Trish and Sami's new home and of course I had to take a little housewarming gift. What better than a Gold Canyon Apple Spice candle and a home made card???? LOL Gave me an excuse to play with my Papertrey Boards and Beams stamp set. Here's the card I made for the girls.
The house is totally adorable and just the right size for Trish and Sami.There are a few minor paint changes, but other than that, this house is pretty much maintenance free.  I'm sure a weight has been lifted off Trisha's shoulders with the lower financial responsibility.

Today is also my friend Sandy's 45th birthday! Happy Birthday Sandy!!!! Monday night Julie, Sandy and I went to Rigatony's  for a little vino and great Italian food. It was very nice to sit and talk for a couple un-interrupted hours. Thanks girls! Here's the card I gave Sandy for her birthday. Stamps are from My Favorite Things. They are coming out with a new release soon:).  Ok, I'm off to get a few things done around her before my hubby comes home from work.

Guilty Again.........

of not blogging. Where do people find the time? I need to catch up on a few things around here........pumpkin carving, Halloween, Regional Swim, Birthday weekend. Yes, we've been a bit busy around the Florence household.

Here's some pics to of Pumpkin carving. After going through my pictures from this last year I realize I've become a total slacker on the picture taking front. So, I'm trying to step up a notch because I'm planning on sending my mother-in-law a digital photo album. Yes, I bought one off of QVC and even told John I was going to do it, so I must!!!

Then a few days later was the Regional Swim meet. Let me tell you people, this stuff is serious business. Boys shave their heads and bodies, the fast skins come out and the competition begins. Some amazing swimming was going on at Chandler Pool. Very fun to watch:).Mackenzie improved on both her times for the 500 freestyle. She dropped down to 6:04 her best time for the season and also dropped 5 seconds off her 200 freestyle time. She did not make it to State in either of these events but did manage to make it to the State meet this coming Friday at ASU in the 200 free relay. She's very excited! She was only off the qualifying time for the 500 by 10 seconds. So, her hopes are next year to take that to State. We'll see what happens!

Then Friday evening was Halloween. Mackenzie decided she was too old to Trick or Treat this year but saw many of her friends at our front door. We invited the Sprengers to come over so Michael and Steven could hit the streets together and Alyssa came down from NAU. I made some pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and Tena brought over broccoli salad. I also made the famous Oatmeal Scotties. Here are some pics.......

And I almost forgot we had a very special little visitor!!! Adam Jon came over to show off his costume. Check him out! Could he be any cuter?
John Florence is calling me to do some work from home so I must go assist him......I'll continue the updating later:)